The old control tower is the best place but I can’t remember/an out of the loop: it’s now beyond security right? Or did they change it back?

You can't see the runway from this spot, but airport traffic goes right over the shopping area in Williston. I've seen them fly over here a few times, and I don't even go there very often.

There probably isn't a set schedule released to the public, although I'm sure the unit has an internal schedule to manage their required flight hours.

There's a field/parking/dog park on the end of Kirby Rd where you can see them broadside. They usually go a little after 9 and then around 1pm.

Why not go to the observation deck (2nd floor) of the airport terminal, and enjoy the view from those beautiful wooden rocking chairs ?
It is still open to the public isn't it ?

You’ve already gotten good advice so I’ll just add that the second best time and place to see them is from my office 1 millisecond after I take myself off mute on Zoom.

As of October 22, you needed a boarding pass, based on a previous reddit thread.

Try the top floor of the airport parking garage. When we flew home for the holidays, they left around 9-10am

Winooski parking garage

I heard the new security check setup changed that?

Almost always between 930 and 10

Tailgate in the old pizza putt parking lot for a day. You’ll see them

Maybe so. I've never been up there, so I'm not really familiar with where the observation deck is.

This article does mention them tearing down the upstairs security checkpoint and renovating that area.

https://m.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/new-wing-opens-at-btv-liquids-and-laptops-stay-in-your-bag/Content?oid=36688130

I couldn't find anything more recent

I can't give a good place but can say they typically take off on the main runway headed east, usually sometimes shortly after 9am on weekdays. Usually it's 9:10-9:20.

Somewhere 3/4 of the way down the runway would be good, since they're well off the ground by the end of the runway.

Nope, you have to go through security to get in there now!

I flew last week and even with new security it’s beyond where the public can go without boarding pass

When I lived in Richmond that was exactly the same, every time I had a meeting they would fly over.

Bummer

The active runway (15 taking off over Williston, or 33 taking off over Winooski) depends on the wind; you can try listening to the BTV ATIS feed which will list what is the current active runway - https://www.liveatc.net/search/?icao=kbtv

As for days/times, typically Tuesday through Friday, sometime after 9am (but not always).

There was nothing better as a kid then getting to go to Toys R Us then running outside to see the F16s fly over.

That's a great spot to see them landing from, but they tend to take off in the other direction.

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The best place to watch them is from the top floor of the parking garage on the airport. They takeoff around 9:30am Tuesday - Friday and return about 1 - 1.5 hours later. They also takeoff around 1pm and return 1 - 1.5 hours later. If it’s bad weather though they don’t usually fly.

The old observation tower is only accessible after security, that hallway is the only way to route passengers to the north terminal. If you’re familiar with the layout of the building there would be no simple nor inexpensive fix.

Nope, problem is there is only one hallway that can connect the north and south terminal and that hallway includes the old observation tower. Rerouting the hallway would require a new hallway going through what is currently a closed restaurant space turned into storage, a break room and some offices. It would be a poor use of space and a waste of money. BTV is a bizarre hodgepodge of additions and none of them make a lot of sense, for example a passenger walking down the hallway toward the north terminal has to pass through an unmarked doorway and immediately go left through another unmarked doorway to enter the north concourse by gate 8. there are plans to modernize the airport and hopefully the modernization project will remove some of the jank.

Nice try, Mother Russia!

If you go to look at rv’s at Pete’s they have a nice view of the runways. If you go way back.

I don't know, I've only tried to escape the wretched things.

Pretty sure some are grounded for now with the latest crash. Might want to verify before making a plan.

https://theaviationist.com/2022/12/28/small-number-of-u-s-and-international-f-35s-grounded-after-f-35b-incident-at-fort-worth/

No, they were flying yesterday

That issue was with F-35Bs, the VTANG (& the whole AF) flies F-35As

Well yes but many A's are being grounded as well. The issue if you read the article does not seem to be depending on the model designator.

My bad, read the first couple paragraphs and assumed it was a VTOL issue based on the described events.

Ya I don't know which from the article it's a bit confusing just wanted OP to check before making a multi hr plan. I am on the other side of the state so I have no idea if they are flying or not. I am one of those hate the govt and all war machines types but still I am a lil kid inside and love to see them fly. Wish they would fly over the NEK more often. They would get less complaints too.